Color

Colored diamonds are purchased almost exclusively for the intensity and distribution of the diamond's
color,
unlike colorless diamonds where the 4Cs carry equal importance. There may be a single dominant body color
(yellow, pink, etc.) or more commonly, secondary colors referred to as overtones (greenish yellow,
brownish
pink).

Intensity

Color intensity, the depth of color, can occur in a broad range of saturations. Even faint tones may qualify a diamond as fancy color, but the more intense the color, the more rare and valuable the diamond will be.

Tone & Saturation

faint

very light

light

fancy

fancyyellowdiamond selected

intense

vivid

deep

dark

The Size, Shape, and Cut Of Your Colored Diamond

While colorless diamonds are typically cut to emphasize brilliance and clarity, colored diamonds are primarily cut to emphasize their color while
retaining as much carat weight as possible.

Size: 0.81 Carat

After color grade, carat weight has the most impact on price for colored diamonds. Large gems are more rare than small ones – making them much
more valuable – though even small colored diamonds can present outstanding value if the color is unique enough.

Shape: Radiant

Shape refers to the overall outline of a diamond when viewed from the top. It's important to note that many colored diamonds are cut into
non-traditional shapes to enhance their natural color.

Cut

Colored diamonds are primarily cut to emphasize their color. In contrast with colorless diamonds that are cut to maximize sparkle or brilliance, ideal
proportions can in some instances detract from the natural color of a colored diamond, thus leading to more varied proportions.

Clarity: VS1

VS1-VS2: Very slightly included.

Due to the nature of colored diamonds, clarity is less important than it is in their colorless counterparts. This is true because inclusions tend to be masked by the diamond's color.

Representative diamond under high magnification.

Setting Colored Diamonds

When choosing a setting for a colored diamond, certain metals will enhance the natural color of your diamond. For example, yellow diamonds are often set in yellow gold, while pink diamonds look best set in rose gold.

If you have questions about the best setting for your colored diamond, please contact our Diamond and Jewelry Consultants.

Certification

Each loose colored diamond at Blue Nile is independently analyzed and graded by the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), and accompanied by a colored diamond grading report. This authoritative report lists comprehensible 4Cs information along with
the diamond's color grade and natural origin.